This is going to be a war for sure.
Important to note, though, Vegas hasn't seen Stankoven or Tanev in the Stars lineup yet. Both of those guys completely changed the complexity of the roster. Plus, Harley really hadn't fully stepped into the #1 pair role last time these teams played.
Now, Vegas has added some pieces (notably Hertl & Hanifin), and as noted, the team taking the ice tonight is a team no one has seen before. They are going to be a handful.
Otter is going to be key. I've been worried about him because he's struggled for a long while, but he seems to have found a groove for the past 10 games or so, and he had a swagger against St. Louis that he's been missing. Logan Thompson has never started a playoff game before. He did play in the blowout back in December, but he's certainly a wild card. I'd much rather have a guy with past success, coming into a groove vs. the alternative.
Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault are the guys who worry me. Aside from being their top offensive threats, they're guys that have given us fits in the past. Eichel was very disruptive last year in the WCF. Need to neutralize him.
Tanev being in the lineup and Harley being in the top pair limits Suter's role and improves our overall backend and ability to exit the zone. Those are things Vegas won't be able to exploit as much as last year.
One thing Dallas has a terrible history of is starting games and series slow. If we can come out early in this one and get a win tonight, it will be huge. Even if not, this series will be a war of attrition and is not going to come easy.
Still say Stars in 6.
Buckle up.
Important to note, though, Vegas hasn't seen Stankoven or Tanev in the Stars lineup yet. Both of those guys completely changed the complexity of the roster. Plus, Harley really hadn't fully stepped into the #1 pair role last time these teams played.
Now, Vegas has added some pieces (notably Hertl & Hanifin), and as noted, the team taking the ice tonight is a team no one has seen before. They are going to be a handful.
Otter is going to be key. I've been worried about him because he's struggled for a long while, but he seems to have found a groove for the past 10 games or so, and he had a swagger against St. Louis that he's been missing. Logan Thompson has never started a playoff game before. He did play in the blowout back in December, but he's certainly a wild card. I'd much rather have a guy with past success, coming into a groove vs. the alternative.
Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault are the guys who worry me. Aside from being their top offensive threats, they're guys that have given us fits in the past. Eichel was very disruptive last year in the WCF. Need to neutralize him.
Tanev being in the lineup and Harley being in the top pair limits Suter's role and improves our overall backend and ability to exit the zone. Those are things Vegas won't be able to exploit as much as last year.
One thing Dallas has a terrible history of is starting games and series slow. If we can come out early in this one and get a win tonight, it will be huge. Even if not, this series will be a war of attrition and is not going to come easy.
Still say Stars in 6.
Buckle up.
